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compelto force or drive, especially to a course of action

Part of speech: VERB

Definition: to force or drive, especially to a course of action

Pronunciation (IPA): /kəmˈpel/

Example Sentences

  • His mother's cooking was so terrible that it compelled him to learn how to cook himself.
  • The new evidence will compel the police to reopen the case.
  • Nothing could compel me to eat broccoli ice cream, not even a million dollars.

compel

VERB

[/kəmˈpel/]

to force or drive, especially to a course of action

The strict coach will compel every player to run extra laps after the loss.
💡 Concept

The strict coach will compel every player to run extra laps after the loss.

What tried to expel her will compel her to excel!
🎵 Rhyme

What tried to expel her will compel her to excel!

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/kəmˈpel/
🇬🇧 UK/kəmˈpel/

🌳Etymology

Prefixcom--
Rootpel

Origin

From Latin 'compellere', formed from the prefix 'com-' (together) and 'pellere' (to drive or push). The word entered English through Old French and has been used since the 14th century.

Breakdown

com- (together/with) + pel (drive/push) + -l (stem variation) = compel (to drive together, to force)

🎵Rhyme

expelrepelexceldwellspell
expel
repel
excel
dwell
spell

🔗Collocations

compel someone to do
compel attention
compel obedience
feel compelled
compel action
legally compel

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

His mother's cooking was so terrible that it compelled him to learn how to cook himself.

The new evidence will compel the police to reopen the case.

😄 Fun example

Nothing could compel me to eat broccoli ice cream, not even a million dollars.

The court can compel witnesses to testify under oath.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

forcecoerceobligepressureconstrain

Antonyms

persuadeencourageallow

Related

expelrepelpropelimpelcompelling

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